Hogs clock improved NCAA times

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback men’s track and field saw four student-athletes improve their NCAA qualifying times at Friday’s Last Chance Meet at the Randal Tyson Track Center.

"We had some good things happen tonight," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "(Chris) Bilbrew made huge strides in the 800 meters and is really starting to come into his own. His 800-meter time is No. 4 in the nation right now and he should get into the national meet. Alex McClary was so close and I hate that for him but he is also a vital leg of our distance medley relay."

In the 800 meters, sophomore Chris Bilbrew won the event with a time of 1:48.40. His clocking is a personal best by more than a second, is an improved NCAA provisional time, ranks No. 4 on the NCAA and is No. 10 on Arkansas’ all-time list. He is the first student-athlete to crack the Arkansas 800-meter top 10 list since James Hatch in 2005.

Senior Alex McClary was right behind Bilbrew with a third-place finish and a time of 1:49.23. McClary’s time is also an improved NCAA provisional and currently ranks 17th on the NCAA list.

Sophomore Duncan Phillips won the mile with a time of 4:00.02. Just off the NCAA auto qualifier, his time is a personal best by more than one second, is an improved NCAA provisional and ranks No. 12 on the NCAA list.

"Duncan ran a great race and was just shy of the auto time," Bucknam said. "At this point, I think he is close. It will be interesting to see what happens at the other last chance meets this weekdn. Duncan and Michael Chinchar, who also PR’d in the mile tonight, are potential DMR legs so we have a lot to figure out in the next few days."

Sophomore Michael Chinchar was third in the mile. He clocked a personal-best and improved NCAA provisional time of 4:02.30. Chinchar has shaved nearly three seconds off his mile time in the last two weeks.

Sophomore Spencer McCorkel made huge strides in the pole vault Friday night. For the first time this season, McCorkel planted a pole and cleared numerous heights. His best measured 16-11.5, just off the NCAA provisional qualifier of 17-0.75. He finished third in the event.

Arkansas will run its 4×400-meter relay and McCorkel will pole vault at Saturday’s Iowa State Last Chance. The accepted entries for the NCAA Championships will be released Mon., March 9 at 8 p.m. CST. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Download: CompiledResults.pdf